12 killed in Ifugao NPA ambush

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Eleven government soldiers and a civilian were killed in an ambush by alleged New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas in Ifugao province Wednesday morning.

Senior Superintendent Lawrence Mombael, Ifugao police chief, said the victims were on board three trucks when an undetermined number of NPA guerillas strafed their vehicles in Barangay Gumhang, Tinoc town.

Two soldiers and another civilian were also injured.

The trucks were carrying soldiers from the Charlie company of the Army’s 86th Infantry Battalion.

Mombael said one of the trucks even fell into a ravine.

He added the civilian who died only hitchhiked with the soldiers.

The battalion’s commander was also reportedly among the fatalities.

Mombael said the soldiers came from a party and were on their way to their camp when the ambush happened.

The Philippine Army said it will conduct an investigation into the incident. – report from Edwin Sevidal, dzMM